Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-04-04

0AN4ltu itOLtl t4Gth
blouse full and most of the guests
also, answered the clerk.
mo kind of accommodation, eh?"
..Well. I'll tell you.' explained the
clerk more affable, ''perhaps | over
draw the situation. Times are little
brisk with us just now, and the circuit
court sits next week. Our rooms are
all engaged. but | really expect some
of the occupants will kill each other of
before morning. If you don't mind
waiting in the bar-room till the shoot
ing begins you shall have the room va
Gated by the first corpse
Dabney smiled feebly at the clerks
pleasantly, and finally succeeded IN
getting possession of a key to a com
paratively good room. Throughout
the night the uproar was terrific
Brawls and fist fights occurred with
monotonous regularity. AT 8 O'Clock
the following morning the excitement
eliminated in the opening of the polls.
A discordant brass band paraded the
one principal street, up and down, fol-
lowed by shouting boys, staggering
men, tattered banners covered with
maudlin notices, and NANCY, yelping
ours. Before noon two men had been
shot, one of them fatally. Large and
cosmopolitan cities had ever been ia
miliar to Dabney. But never before
had he witnessed political excitement
SO fierce, partisanship so bitter, or hui
man passions so wildly tumultuous.
Soon after the closing of the polls
number of the lucky candidates, ac-
companied by friends, assembled in
the hotel bar-room. The orgies of the
previous night were Immediately re-
newed. There was no hattering pros
pect of sleep for Dabney.
EITHER Charley Brockden is mod
ern Ananias," he unused, ''or he is
woefully mistaken about Glenwood.
Quiet, rural, retired, Ell? Local color
ing, indeed! The local coloring APP
pears to be, principally, red paint.
This rustic village is pandemonium."
Then his thoughts reverted to Min
ME Dexter. Where was sheP With
the arrival of the stage at the hotel
she had mysteriously disappeared.
With no immediate prospect of sleep
before him, Dabney determined to visit
the school meeting. Here he discov-
cred that the usual spirit Of turbulency
incident to the town ruled supreme.
There were two discordant, antagonis-
tic elements. The ''honest taxpayer"
were standing around the room in ex-
cited groups discussing-in a wild
chorus-the question of hiring prin-
cipal for the coming term. Some one
mentioned the name of Miss Dexter.
From an immense volume OF tall. Dab
new cleaned the fact that the Moderator
had already engaged Miss Dexter as
principal of the school, and that he ex-
pected the annual meeting to ratify the
contract. But to this arrangement
there was violent opposition.
Upon calling the gathering to order
the Moderator made plain, candid
statement concerning his action in en-
gaging Miss Dexter, and then, as it
were, threw himself upon the mercy of
the court. The court" however, was
belligerent Many eloquent speeches,
burdened with vindictive complaint,
were make, with now and then a few
weak, lifeless remarks from the friends
of the Moderator. Suddenly, from out
dim, shadowy portion of the school
room issued a clear, bell-toned voice,
and Dabney, turning his head, saw his
handsome companion of the stage
coach adventure, Miss Dexter She
said:
''Mr Moderator"
''Miss Dexter is recognized an
swered that official, pounding vigor-
ously with his gayel, and for the first
time, imperatively, as though he had
been unexpectedly reinforced, and was
glad of it. But still the ungentlemanly
uproar continued which had rewarded
every other speech in favor of the
Moderator, until Kisses and cries of
''shame" induced certain degree Of
quiet. Miss Dexter continued:
''In the language of England's Pre-
mier, Disraeli, let me say: 4 have be-
gun several times many things, and
have often succeeded at last. As he
was at times defeated in his aspirations
so /, too, may be defeated before this
meeting. But the time will come when
you will recognize me- Opposition
only lncites me to greater effort. ! al
ready have q contract to teach this
school But | scorn to plead its legal
/ ity or beg your ratification.
Miss Dexter then walked out of the
room. Every one made way for her
respectfully.
John Williams arose.
''Mistur Moderatur,' he said, clutch
ing the back of the school bench be-